This is an irruption year in Rhode Island for the Pine Siskin. It is a small sparrow-like bird that tends to travel in packs. They are rare here this time of year. They have been all over the place in the last few weeks, flocking in the dozens to local feeders.
Except mine.
Not a Siskin in sight, not many birds in general, but that is a story for another post.
I had been several places specifically looking for Siskins and my neighbors were posting photos of their feeders swarming with Siskins. They are fickle birds and in my limited experience don’t show up in the same place a lot.
On Thursday I went to Snake Den Farm. There have been a lot of Siskins spotted there, on and off. It is a long way to travel to get dipped (means miss the bird), but there were other birds there.
You never know, I might see a bobcat.
I did not see a bobcat.
I did see a Siskin – got a good photo and then there was the 40 bird flyover.
A Siskin buffet.
Every birder I know got a Siskin before me, but finally I have one too.
I may never see one again – but I am happy I no longer need to be manic about it.
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